From its beginnings as a maker of drums in 1883, the Gretsch company has developed and expanded into one of the best recognized makers of drums and guitars in the world. This selection of highlights showcases the company's legacy, featuring a diverse array of electric and acoustic guitars made by the company over the last 100 years.
Please enjoy exploring this carefully curated collection of instruments that have shaped the sound of popular music for generations. Every instrument you will see here tells a story of craftsmanship, innovation, and the enduring appeal of "that great Gretsch sound!"
For more information about the artifacts in the Gretsch Collection, please contact Dr. Matthew Hill, Curator at mhill@georgiasouthern.edu.
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Duo-Jet guitar, model PX6128
Gretsch Company
Custom Sparkle (Champagne) Double Cutaway
"13 1/4" wide, 2" deep, double cutaway, mahogany body, 2 gold Super'Tron pickups, 2 (G/Arrow plastic) knobs on lower treble bout with 1 switch, 1 knob on cutaway, 2 switches on upper bass bout, gold Gretsch v-cut / Bigsby Vibrato, bound top, single-bound fingerboard and headstock, 'Gretsch t-roof' logo on headstock, 24 1/2" scale, gold hardware, ebony fingerboard with Neo-Classic inlays, roller bridge, original open back tuners."
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Electromatic Hawaiian guitar
Gretsch Company
"Symmetrical lap steel guitar shape mahogany body with rope-pattern top binding, wood pickup cover, knobs on opposite sides wood fingerboard, dot markers, 6-on a side Harlin Bothers tuners, Gretsch - Electromatic diagonally across the headstock, with musical note above logo. Lap steel made for Gretsch by Valco. This model is a later version of the instrument #283 with knobs set back."
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Gretsch Anniversary guitar, model PX6125
Gretsch Company
"16" wide single cutaway 2 1/2" deep bound body with 1 Filter'Tron pickup, 1 "G/Arrow" knob on cutaway bout, 1 switch on upper bass bout, G tail piece unbound rosewood fingerboard with Neo-Classic inlay and roller bridge. Gretsch t-roof logo and "anniversary 'Diamond' model" plate on headstock. w/ original Gretsch case. First year of the Anniversary model. This is a clean guitar with original case."
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Gretsch guitar, model No. 35
Gretsch Company
"Orchestra Model 16" unbound body with small 'f' holes, carved spruce top, maple back and sides, adjustable rosewood bridge, dot inlay ebony fingerboard, rosewood peghead veneer with pearl scroll Gretsch logo diagonally across peghead. Original tuners and trapeze tailpiece. Missing pickguard. Non-original case."
